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Sign in or register for an accountSmoking during pregnancy remains a critical public health issue due to its well-documented adverse effects on both maternal and infant health. Nationally, around 6.1% of women were reported to be smoking at the time of delivery in 2024-24, a substantial decline from over 13% in 2010-11, reflecting progress in tobacco control and cessation efforts. Despite this improvement, smoking in pregnancy continues to contribute to increased risks of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), as well as longer-term respiratory and developmental problems in children.
The UK Government’s Tobacco Control Plan emphasises reducing smoking during pregnancy as a key priority, recognising it as a major driver of health inequalities.
Monitoring the proportion of women who smoke at delivery is a vital indicator of the success of these public health interventions and maternity care pathways. It helps identify areas requiring enhanced support and resources, particularly among groups disproportionately affected by tobacco use, such as younger mothers and those living in deprived communities. In places like Salford, where deprivation levels are above the national average, addressing smoking during pregnancy is essential to improving maternal and child health outcomes and reducing inequalities.
In 2024-25 6.5% of women in Salford were recorded as smoking at the time of delivery. This represents a continued decline in prevalence, in line with wider national trends. Since 2010-11, when the rate in Salford was over 18%, the proportion of women smoking at the time of delivery has more than halved — a significant shift over the past decade. Over this period Salford has closed the gap with England such that from 2018-19 onwards, Salford’s rate has closely mirrored the national average.
This trend is a strong indicator of positive behavioural change and suggests that local public health efforts, including targeted stop-smoking support for pregnant women, may be contributing to a sustained reduction in smoking during pregnancy. While this data does not directly reflect maternal or infant outcomes, it provides encouraging evidence of engagement with health improvement initiatives and increased awareness of the risks associated with smoking in pregnancy.
The maternity services for women in Salford are complex, as Salford Royal Hospital does not have a maternity unit. Approximately 93% of Salford women give birth in either Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust hospitals (St Mary’s, North Manchester or Wythenshawe) or in Bolton NHS Foundation Trust.
The proportion of women in Salford who are smokers at the time they give birth has fallen by two thirds since 2010-11.
[Download smoking delivery chart data (csv format, 2kb)]
Sub-local data on smoking at the time of delivery is not currently available for Salford, which limits the ability to identify specific communities most affected within the city. However, literature consistently shows that smoking in pregnancy is more prevalent among certain population groups. Rates tend to be higher among women from more deprived socioeconomic backgrounds, younger mothers (particularly under 25), and those with lower educational attainment. Smoking is also more common among women with poor mental health, and among those with limited access to support services. Ethnic disparities have also been observed nationally, with higher rates among White and mixed British women compared to many minority ethnic groups.
While local data is needed to confirm whether these patterns apply directly to Salford, it is likely that similar inequalities exist given the city’s overall socio-demographic and deprivation profile. Several wards in Salford experience higher levels of deprivation, as defined by the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) deciles, and lower educational attainment—measured by the percentage of the population aged 16 and over with no formal qualifications—compared to both the national and Salford averages.
Unpublished health data suggests women in Salford who are pregnant or have given birth in the last year are around 60% more likely to be smokers if they live in areas classified as among the 20% most deprived nationally compared to those living in less deprived parts of the city.
Further analysis at ward and sub-ward level would help inform more targeted interventions to reduce smoking during pregnancy.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommend targeted support for pregnant women to quit smoking, including tailored behavioural interventions and access to stop smoking services.
All Salford residents are offered support to quit smoking by midwives and their support staff, who are trained stop smoking advisers. This support is available from the first maternity booking appointment to 12 months post-birth and includes access to Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
The National Smoke-Free Pregnancy Incentive Scheme (NSPIS) is offered in Greater Manchester, offering financial incentives to pregnant women who quit smoking. In 2025-26 the scheme was extended to include the pregnant woman’s ‘significant other’, a partner, family member or close friend, who can also receive a financial incentive for quitting.
If pregnant women are exposed to second-hand smoke there is an increased risk of miscarriage, SIDS and having a low birth weight baby, so it is important partners and family don’t smoke near them.
Not smoking during pregnancy is one of the best decisions a woman can make to give her child a healthy start in life. More women quit smoking when they are pregnant than at any other time during their lives and they are more likely to quit than non-pregnant women.
Given the risks second hand smoke poses to pregnant women, increasing the number of smoke free homes, cars and public places would deliver clear health benefits.
Ongoing promotion of the benefits of quitting smoking, alongside accessible stop smoking services for pregnant women and their families, will support more people to quit smoking. National campaigns such as No Smoking Day and Stoptober, alongside sharing local residents’ success stories, can play a valuable role.